Coaching Model: T.R.A.V.E.L

A Coaching Model Created by Calvin Chuang
(Life Coach, AUSTRALIA)

We travel not to escape life, but for life not to escape us.-Unknown

Travel.

noun

1. to go from one place to another, as by car, train, plane, or ship; take a trip; journey: to travel for pleasure.
2. to move or go from one place or point to another.
3. to proceed or advance in any way.

For many people, traveling is invigorating. It means moving out the ordinary and heading somewhere exciting. It involves planning, motivation and overcoming any setbacks as you head towards the destination of your choice. Looking back on travel leads to fond memories and inspires you to travel more. It is these aspects that encompass the T.R.A.V.E.L Coaching Model, a model ideal for anyone who wants to get somewhere in life.

The T.R.A.V.E.L Coaching Model helps motivate you to get moving in your life by helping you set goals and creates solutions to achieve them. Formed on a trusting open relationship between coach and client, the model helps clients get moving in six simple steps: Target, Reality, Avenues, Value, Embark and Learn. No matter how big or small the goal, task or situation the T.R.A.V.E.L. Coaching Model is designed to get you motivated and moving in the right direction.

Target – Where Do I Want To Go?

Like most traveling, the beginning of the journey begins with a target (or destination) in mind. The client needs to decide what their target is for the session. The target is whatever the client chooses it to be, whether concrete or abstract. It is important to set a target as it gives both coach and client something to focus on during their time together. Traveling often involves several stops to get to an end destination so this process may involve setting not only a target for the session, but also a greater target to which the client is heading towards. During the session the target may change but it is advised always to have a target in mind.  It is also important to let the client know that they are in the drivers seat of their journey, the coach is there just to support them in their travel.

Example Questions:

1. Where do you wish to go?
2. What would you like to achieve?
3. What is goal for today’s session?
4. What would you like to aim towards?

Reality – Where Am I Now?

When traveling, once your destination is set it is always a good idea to know where you are currently at. This helps you understand what needs to take place and allows you to plan effectively. The same is true with life. Once a client sets their target they need to work out where they are in relation to that target. Depending on the target, this reality may be physical, mental, social, spiritual or a combination of each. The better the client understands their current position, the better able they will be to work out where they need to go.

Example Questions:

1. Where are you now?
2. Where are you in relation to your target?
3. Tell me about your current situation?
4. What circumstances do you currently face?

Avenues- What Opportunities Exist?

Working out avenues to get from the origin to the destination is the next step. During this time a client should be encouraged to be open to all avenues (opportunities) that exist to them no matter how big, small, practical or impractical. The Avenues stage is a time for creativity,  a chance for the client to explore all their options. A coach can help facilitate this by asking open-ended questions, active listening and reflecting back to the client the ideas they have said. Making the client aware of as many avenues as possible will help them when it is time to make a decision.

Example Questions:

1. What opportunities exist?
2. What are some possibilities?
3. Tell me all the ways you could get from here to there?
4. What are your options at the moment?

Value- What Is The Cost?

Once all the avenues have been identified it is important to evaluate the cost of each option. Like traveling, some avenues may get you to your destination quicker but the cost in not suitable while others have a small cost but a may not be suitable for what you are trying to achieve. Cost in this application may refer to several aspects that may include, finances, time, mental and emotional energy. Clients are encouraged to evaluate each of their avenues to work out which path is best suited for them. During this stage clients should also decide how they will keep themselves accountable to path they choose. A coach can help them during this time by asking them powerful questions and reflecting back the clients response. This may also be a time where tough questions need to be asked in order to get a true picture of what is involved with each option. If the client views the avenue they choose as the best value for them, the more likely they will be more likely to stick with it.

Example Questions:

1. What is the costs of each avenue?
2. What are the pros and cons of each option?
3. What would a confident you choose?
4. If a close friend were in a similar situation, what advice would you give them?
5. Who will keep you accountable?
6. What sacrifices are involved?
7. Who does this affect?

Embark – Take Off!

Once the decision has been made all that is left to do is go. This is an exciting time where a client is doing something different to what they would normally do. It is important that the coach encourages the client during this new and exciting time. This involves not only saying positive words but giving off positive energy. It is also important that the client has plans in place to encourage themselves when unforeseen things come along the way.

Example Questions:

1. How will you reward yourself along the way?
2. What will you do to celebrate once you have reached your destination?
3. What things will you do to stay positive when things may not go as planned?

Learn- What Did I Discover?

Traveling brings with it new experiences so it is always a good to take note of what you have learned so far so you can travel even better in the future. When clients begins their new adventure it is good for them to reflect on their journey from time to time. Doing so may help them improve moving forward or may even alter the destination entirely. Depending on the nature of coaching session, the coach will need to decide if this step will take place at the end of the session or at the start of the next session.

Example Questions:

1. What did you discover?
2. What did you learn so far?
3. How will this learning change what you do in the future?
4. What are the positives of your experience so far?
5. What are you proud of yourself for?

Example

John is a busy businessman who wishes to lose weight. He visits hhis coach Phil who runs him through the T.R.A.V.E.L. Coaching Model. For his target, John decides that he wants to lose weight. For the session, he decides his target is to exercise twice a week. Phil asks John to explain his current situation (reality) to which the client admits he only plays basketball every so often with his colleagues. Together they proceed to explore all John’s current avenues to reach his target. These include going to the gym, running, swimming, biking, yoga, basketball, soccer, karate, rock climbing and surfing. They then return to value each of the options and John quickly discovers that only basketball, going to the gym and soccer seem valuable to him. He knows that he has a busy schedule so wishes to combine exercise with some sort of social atmosphere. John also feels that by choosing a social sport, his friends will hold him accountable if he skips some weeks. He commits to playing basketball every Thursday on a work friend’s team and to going to the gym with his brother every Sunday. Phil remains positive throughout the conversation as John embarks on his new exercise regime. He enquires about how the businessman will reward himself to which John commits to treating himself out to some fresh juice at a stand nearby his gym every time he exercises twice a week. The session ends and John leaves energized and excited.

A week later, before they start their next session Phil checks in with John to see how his traveling went and what he learned. John admits that though he struggled to motivate himself to go to both basketball and the gym, having people to keep him accountable really helped. He also learned that it helped if he did not eat before exercises so he could use food as a reward in addition to the new fruit juice. Phil is happy and congratulates John before asking him about his new target for that session.

Summary

By setting targets, looking at reality, exploring avenues, evaluating value, embarking on a new experience, and learning from the experience, the T.R.A.V.E.L Coaching Model helps people move from good to great and from great to excellent. Easy to follow and simply to follow, the model allows individual to process their thoughts and feelings to reach their goals, no matter if they are concrete or abstract. An adventure awaits. Begin your travel today.